A Novel Approach to Identify Technological Innovation Opportunities Using Patent Mining for Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Systems

The floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) system is an offshore facility that floats above a natural gas field, directly liquefying natural gas without the need for subsea pipelines. In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring technological innovations for FLNG systems. As such, advancements could lead to breakthroughs in optimizing layout and operations within the limited space of these platforms. To address this, we first apply a patent mining method to cluster FLNG-related patent texts, identifying the key technological components. We then conduct a morphological analysis to pinpoint potential technological opportunities. In our case study, we identify seven such opportunities, which include a combination of plate-fin heat exchangers, horizontal LNG storage tanks, flexible flowlines, and tail loading methods. These findings offer valuable insights and directions for the future development of FLNG systems.